A Cumbrian woman has been awarded a national wellbeing award for her contributions to healthier lifestyles.

Danii Vipond Houghton, GLL health and communities manager for Cumbria, based at Kendal Leisure Centre, has won the ukactive Physical Activity Hero Award 2024.

The award ceremony, held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham, honoured her dedication to improving health outcomes through physical activity.

She has been instrumental in increasing the number of people accessing the Healthwise programme from 26 to 630 within two years.

She has also helped to attract more than 5,000 new people to exercise and raised more than £150,000 to support leisure services' sustainability.

Danii Vipond Houghton has worked with multiple organisations to improve health and wellbeing (Image: Danii Vipond Houghton) Ms Vipond Houghton said: "Winning such a prestigious national award and having my work celebrated is a huge honour for me – I’m still reeling from the excitement of the evening.

"Coming together with so many incredibly dedicated health professionals from across the UK to acknowledge the fantastic strides we are making collectively to support people to live longer, and healthier lives was so inspiring.

"I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved in Cumbria, in conjunction with our partners, and I am thrilled that our work has been recognised by the local community.

"I’m looking forward to supporting even more people to embrace exercise, get more active and lead happier and healthier lives."

Ms Vipond Houghton set up the Healthwise Physical Activity pathway for those living with various health conditions after the NHS MSK department co-located to Kendal Leisure Centre in 2022.

She has worked with Age UK, the local authority, North and South Cumbria NHS Health Trusts, and others, to improve the communities' health and wellbeing.

Her efforts have encouraged many elderly swimmers to return to the pool, boosting their mobility and mood.

The NHS in Cumbria reports a £150,000 saving on hospital admissions and GLL reports £3.4m generated in social value as a direct result of its interventions in the region.

Ms Vipond Houghton started with GLL as a Healthwise facilitator in 2021, progressing to her current role as health and communities manager.